Curved TV
Five trends to watch
Las Vegas: The massive International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) hosts the cutting edge in technology, giving consumers a glimpse of our digital futures. Here’s a look at the five trends to watch in consumer technology from CES 2014. — USA TODAY
The curved TV
It’s not enough for your high-definition television to deliver movies or TV with crisp resolutions. Those flat-screens now bend and curve to the user’s will.
TV makers including Samsung and LG rolled out massive high-definition TVs featuring a curved screen. In some cases, the TV screen bends with the touch of a button, giving users the option to watch programmes with a flat or curved display.
Tim Baxter, president of Samsung Electronics America, says the displays combine HD content “with this curved capability that creates a really immersive experience.”
Samsung plans to launch an 85-inch bendable TV and 105-inch curved TV in the US later this year.
Ultra HDTV
Prepare to hear terms such as UHD and 4K often when shopping for a new television. They’re the next level of high-definition resolution.
So, what are Ultra HD or 4K? They are the same thing: HD resolutions that are four times higher than a broadcast in 1080p, which means video content will look sharper than the current generation of high-definition sets.
Sony, LG and Vizio were among the tech titans trotting out UHD and 4K televisions, but brace for huge price tags. For example, LG’s 84-inch UHD display is priced at US$17,000.
Wearables
It started last year with smartwatches like the Pebble, but the wearable computing category has exploded into everything from glasses for your head to gear for man’s best friend.
Among the notable items:
• Voyce. The high-tech dog collar can track Fido’s vital signs, and even chart how active your pet is during the day while you’re away. Data sync with your computer, smartphone or tablet.
• Razer Nabu. Described as a cross between a fitness band and smartwatch, the Nabu tracks activity and sleep patterns and transmits calls and text messages.
The next tech hot spot: Your car
The dashboard has slowly morphed into a futuristic hub with GPS and access to apps such as music service Pandora or search engine Bing.
At CES, automakers featured everything from a car running solely on sunlight to a Hyundai Genesis that drivers can start with a smartphone or tablet app.
“It’s a massive category,” says Pandora CEO Tim Westergren, who met with several automakers to add his streaming music service to more vehicles.
The connected home
Last year, the concept started with smart appliances like refrigerators with Wi-Fi access for searching recipes.
At CES 2014, the trend has blossomed to include items such as ovens with integrated tablets and light bulbs users can turn off and on with a smartphone.
Even the toothbrush got smarter. Startup
Kolibree featured an electronic toothbrush that measures how long and how effectively you clean your teeth.
Kolibree plans to launch the toothbrush later this year.